Evaporative condenser



June 1956 J. c. NOFZIGER 2,752,124

EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER Filed May 15, 1953 .FZz-G. 1. vfvxig 4 J 6. NOFZ/ 6542,

IN V EN TOR.

Anne/vs EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER Jay C. Nofziger, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application May 15, 1953, Serial No. 355,361

11 Claims. (Cl. 257-37 This invention relates primarily to evaporative condensers and has for its object to provide a device of superior construction, of high efliciency and which is easy to keep clean.

With these and other objects in view, as will become apparent upon perusal of the following detailed description, the invention consists of the combination hereinafter fully described and a preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the drawings hereto appended. In the drawings:

Fig. l is a sectional side elevational view of a condenser embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a substantially corresponding end view of the device with a minor portion of the framing thereof broken away for the sake of clearness; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view taken on lines 33 of Pig. 1.

The device of the invention consists of a housing 1 the lower portion of which forms a reservoir 2, usually termed the sump pan. On the top wall of the housing is mounted a fan 4 which by a motor 5 is operated to blow a continuous, powerful current of air through the housing in the manner and for the purpose which will now be described.

Several coils of tubing 1t) are horizontally mounted in the housing and they are in any suitable manner, not shown, connected to carry the fluid to be condensed therethrough at adequate refrigerant velocity. A rearwardly and downwardly directed plate 6 bridges the space between the side walls of the housing to form therein a panel directing the current of air to the bottom of the housing and thence upwardly through the housing on the other side of the plate, finally to pass out of the housing through a series of bafiies 11.

Water is carried through pipes 12, 13 to a pump 14, from which it is forced upwardly through a conduit 15 to one or more rows of pipes 16 which extend transversely through the housing directly below the top wall thereof, as indicated in Fig. 2, and continue therein longitudinally, as best shown in Fig. l of the drawings. The pipes 16 are fitted with a suitable number of nozzles 17 through which the water from the pump is discharged in the form of fine sprays, thoroughly to mix with the air passing through the housing and completely to cover the tubular coil surfaces, as required for condensation purposes. Having in this manner effectively flushed the coils, the water drops into the sump pan 2, from which it may drain through an outlet 18 in the bottom thereof. This drain is controlled by a valve 19. The down-pouring water rises within the pan to a predetermined height and an overflow pipe 2% is, for this purpose, placed therein. In addition, it may be well to mount a float valve 21 in the water supply pipe 12 to make certain that the water will not rise above the inlet to the overflow pipe in case this pipe should become clogged with scale and other sediments Washed away from the coils and from the interior surfaces of the housing by the sprays to settle within the pan.

" States Patent While the continuous flushing of the housing interior tends to minimize such scale formation, it none the less becomes necessary from time to time to clean out the sump pan and the housing of conventional evaporative condensers is for this purpose usually fitted with doors in the side walls thereof directly above the sump pan. One problem encountered in the use of such doors is the difficulty of providing leak-proof door joints. Another objection to such doors is that the forced air-water circulation must be stopped during the cleansing operations, thereby disrupting the condensing operation during these cleansing periods. This difiiculty may be overcome in the following manner.

A plate 23 is placed in the lower portion of the housing, extending from one side wall to the other to form a partition the upper edge of which is at 25 tightly secured in position on the inner surface of the front wall 22 of the housing. The partition extends rearwardly and downwardly a short distance below the surface of the water within the sump pan but the lower edge of the partition is placed far enough above the bottom of the pan to provide space for insertion therethrough of such implements as may be found suitable for thorough cleaning of the pan. When the top and side edges of this partition are tightly secured in position on the casing walls, as by a welding operation, it is found that all splashing due to the air-water circulation is confined to the space behind this partition and that for this reason an opening 25 may be cut through the front wall above the pan. When this opening is of the proper size and correctly proportioned, it is possible efficiently to perform many cleaning operations without disrupting the flow through the housing. And when the overflow pipe 20 and float valve 21 are placed within this outer space, as shown in Fig. 1, it is seen that access to these devices may be had at all times. When, in addition, a door 2 6 is hung on the front Wall, as indicated at 27, it is seen that the opening 25 may be closed to prevent dust and other foreign matter from getting into the housing.

It is general practice, in devices of this type, periodically to inspect and to clean out every portion of the interior thereof at which time it becomes necessary to disrupt the flow of air and water through the housing. In order to perform such complete cleaning, I have found it advantageous to be able also to gain access to the upper portion of the housing, and the flaming 3!), within which the baflies 11 are mounted, is for this purpose at 31 shown pivotally mounted on the housing to swing outwardly. This movement is indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 1. When the blower assembly is similarly mounted at 32, it is seen that complete access to the upper portion of the housing may readily be obtained. These parts may then be swung back and by bolts 33 clamped tightly in position on the housing.

In order to facilitate such complete cleansing, it may be found advantageous also to remove the center portion 34 of the partition 23. This center portion is, for this purpose, shown bolted in position on the U-shaped rim 35 of the partition, the outer edges of the rim being welded or otherwise tightly secured in position on the inner walls of the housing. When this inner portion of the partition is removed and the door 26 left open, it is seen that complete access to the housing, from the lower portion thereof, may also be obtained. In cases where such removal is not required, it will be found more economical to weld a single plate in position on the walls of the housing.

It should be clear from the foregoing description that I have provided a novel evaporative condenser which, in addition to the above described inspection and cleaning arrangements, possesses advantages not ordinarily found in condensers that have come to my attention. It is, for

example important to note that the air discharge framing 30 is made with a rearwardly curved hood which directs the moisture laden air flow away from the blower. This hood may, of course, be further extended rearwardly in cases where it is more difl icult to direct the moisture laden air discharge away from the fan.

It is to be understood also that other modifications may be embodied in the device within the scope of the claims hereto appended without departing from the principle of the invention. And while the devices of the invention are shown applied to evaporative condensers, it should be clear to anyone versed in the art that the invention is equally adapted for use in connection with other apparatus, such as evaporative heat exchangers, evaporative liquid coolers, brine spray refrigeration units, and the like.

I claim:

1. An evaporative condenser comprising, a rectangular casing having vertically directed front and rear walls, the casing terminating at the bottom thereof in a sump pan,.conduits horizontally mounted in the upper portion of the casing for a fluid to be condensed, nozzles above said conduits for directing sprays of water downwardly over the conduits and into the sump pan, a downwardly inclined partition in the casing, said partition having its upper edge fastened to the front wall. of the casing and extending rearwardly below the water level in the sump pan to form a water-tight seal between the spaces in the casing behind and in front of the partition, and overflow preventing devices in the pan in front of the partition, there being an opening in the front wall below said partition affording access to said overflow preventing devices at all times.

2. An evaporative condenser comprising, a rectangular casing having vertically directed front and rear walls, the casing terminating at the bottom thereof in a sump pan, conduits horizontally mounted in the upper portion of the casing for a fluid to be condensed, nozzles above said conduits for directing sprays of water downwardly over the conduits and into the sump pan, a down- 7 wardly inclined partition in the casing, said partition hav ing its upper edge fastened to the front wall of the casing and extending rearwardly below the water level in the sump pan to form a water-tight seal between the spaces in the casing behind and in front of the partition, overflow preventing devices in the pan in front of the partition, there being an opening in the front wall below said partition affording access to said overflow preventing devices at all times, and a door for said opening.

3. 'An evaporative condenser comprising, a rectangular casing having vertically directed front and rear walls, the casing terminating at the bottom thereof in a sump pan, conduits horizontally mounted in the upper portion of the casing for a fluid to be condensed, nozzles above said conduits for directing sprays of water downwardly over the conduits and into the sump pan, a downwardly inclined partition in the casing, said partition having its upper edge fastened to the front wall of the casing and extending rearwardly below the water level in the sump pan to form a water-tight seal between the spaces in the casing behind and in front of: the partition, bafiles in the top wall of the casing, means forcing a current of air downwardly past said conduits along the partition and upwardly through said bafflcs, and overflow preventing devices in the pan in front of the partition, there being an opening in the front wall below said partition affording access to said overflow preventing devices at all times.

4. An evaporative condenser comprising, a rectangular casing having vertically directed front and rear walls, the casing terminating at the bottom thereof in a sump pan, conduits horizontally mounted in the upper portion of thecasing for a fluid to be condensed, nozzles above said conduits for directing sprays of water downwardly over the conduits and into the sump pan, 2. pump forcing water through said nozzles, a downwardly inclined partition in the casing, said partition having its upper edge fastened to the front wall of the casing and extending rearwardly below the water level in the sump pan to form a water-tight seal between the'spaces in the casing behind and in front of the partition, overflow preventing devices in the pan in front of the partition, there being an opening in the front wall below said partition affording access'to said overflow prevention means at all times, and a door for closing said opening.

5. An evaporative condenser comprising, a rectangular casing having vertically directed front and rear walls, the casing terminating at the bottom thereof in a sump pan, a plate extending a distance downwardly from the top wall of the casing, conduits for a fluid to be condensed horizontally mounted in the front wall of the casing and in said plate above the horizontal center of the casing, nozzles above said conduits for directing sprays of water downwardly over the conduits and into the sump pan, a downwardly and rearwardly inclined partition in the casing, said partition having its upper edge fastened to the front wall of the casing and extending rearwardly below the water level in the sump pan to form a watertight seal between the spaces in the casing behind and in front thereof, and overflow preventing devices in the pan in front of the partition, there being an opening in the front wall below said partition affording access to' said overflow preventing devices at all times.

6. An evaporative condenser comprising, a rectangular casing having vertically directed front and rear walls, the

casing terminating at the bottom thereof in a sump pan,

conduits for a fluid to be condensed horizontally mounted in the casing above the horizontal center thereof, nozzles above said conduits for directing sprays of water downwardly over the conduits and into the sump pan, a downwardly and rearwardly inclined partition including a U-shaped rim mounted in position within the casing and a removable center portion, means for clamping the center portion in position on the rim, the upper edge of said partition being fastened in position on the front wall of the casing below said conduits, the lower edge of the partition being located below the water level in the sump pan, and overflow preventing devices in the pan in front of the partition, there being an opening in the front wall below the partition affording access to said overflow preventing devices at all times.

7. An evaporative condenser comprising, a rectangular casing having vertically directed front and rear walls, the casing terminating at the bottom thereof in a sump pan, a plate extending a distance downwardly from the top wall of the casing, conduits for a fluid to be condensed horizontally mounted in the casing in front of said plate above the horizontal center of the casing, nozzles above said conduits for directing sprays of water downwardly over the conduits and into the sump pan, a downwardly inclined partition in the casing, said partition having its upper edge fastened to the wall of the casing and extending rearwardly below the water level in the sump pan to form a water-tight seal between the spaces in the casing behind and in front thereof, a blower mounted in the top wall of the casing in front of said plate to direct a current of air downwardly past said nozzles, said conduits and along said partition upwardly through the space behind the said plate and through the top wall of the casing, and overflow preventing devices in the pan in front of said partition, there being an opening in the front wall below the partition affording access to said overflow prevention means at all times.

8. An evaporative condenser comprising, a rectangular casing having vertically directed front and rear walls, the casing terminating at the bottom thereof in a sump pan, a plate extending a distance downwardly from the top wall of the casing, conduits for a fluid to be condensed horizontally mounted in the casing in front of said plate 7 above the horizontal center of the casing, nozzles above said conduits for directing sprays of water downwardly over the conduits and into the sump pan, a downwardly inclined partition in the casing, said partition having its upper edge fastened to the front wall of the casing and extending rearwardly below the water level in the sump pan to form a water-tight seal between the spaces in the casing behind and in front of the partition, a blower pivotally mounted in the top wall of the casing in front of said plate to direct a current of air downwardly past said nozzles, the conduits and along said partition and upwardly through the space behind the plate and through the top wall of the casing, the blower being movable on its pivot to open a passage through the top wall affording access to said nozzles and conduits, overflow preventing devices in the pan in front of the partition, there being an opening inthe front wall below the partition affording access to said overflow preventing devices at all times, and a closure for said opening.

9. An evaporative condenser comprising, a rectangular casing having vertically directed front and rear walls, the casing terminating at the bottom thereof in a sump pan, a plate extending a distance downwardly from the top Wall of the casing, conduits for a fluid to be condensed horizontally mounted in the casing in front of said plate above the horizontal center of the casing, the portions of the top wall on each side of said plate being pivotally hung on the front and rear walls of the casing respectively for outward swinging movement to gain access to the spaces Within the casing, nozzles above said conduits for directing sprays of water downwardly over the conduits and into the sump pan, a downwardly inclined partition in the casing, said partition having its upper edge fastened to the front Wall of the casing and extending rearwardly below the water level in the sump pan to form a water-tight seal between the spaces in the casing behind and in front of the partition, and overflow preventing devices in the pan in front of the partition, there being an opening in the front wall below the partition affording access to said overflow preventing devices at all times.

10. An evaporative condenser comprising, a rectangular casing having vertically directed front and rear walls, the casing terminating at the bottom thereof in a sump pan, a plate extending a distance downwardly from the top wall of the casing, conduits for a fluid to be condensed horizontally mounted in the casing in front of said plate above the horizontal center of the casing, the portions of the top wall on each side of said plate being pivotally hung on the front and rear walls of the casing respectively for outward swinging movement to gain access to the spaces within the casing, nozzles above said conduits for directing sprays of water downwardly over the conduits and into the sump pan, a downwardly inclined partition in the casing, said partition having its upper edge fastened to the front wall of the casing and extending rearwardly below the water level in the sump pan to form a watertight seal between the spaces in the casing behind and in front of the partition, and a blower on the portion ofthe top wall in front of the plate for directing a current of air past said nozzles and conduits along said partition and upwardly through the space behind the plate and through the rear portion of the top wall, overflow preventing devices in the pan in front of the partition, there being an opening in the front wall below the partition affording access to said overflow preventing devices at all times.

11. An evaporative condenser comprising, a rectangular casing having vertically directed front and rear Walls, the casing terminating at the bottom thereof in a sump pan, a plate extending a distance downwardly from the top wall of the casing, conduits for a fluid to be condensed horizontally mounted in the casing in front of said plate above the horizontal center of the casing, the portions of the top wall on each side of said plate being pivotally hung on the front and rear walls of the casing respec tively for outward swinging movement to gain access to the spaces within the casing, nozzles above said conduits for directing sprays of water downwardly over the conduits and into the sump pan, a downwardly inclined partition in the casing, said partition having its upper edge fastened to the front wall of the casing and extending rearwardly below the water level in the sump pan to form a water-tight seal between the spaces in the casing behind and in front of the partition, a blower on the portion of the top wall in front of the plate, baflies in the portion of the top Wall behind the plate, said blower directing a current of air past said nozzles and conduits then along said partition and upwardly behind the plate through the bafiles in the rear portion of the top wall, overflow preventing devices in the pan in front of the partition, there being an opening in the front wall below the partition affording access to said overflow preventing devices at all times, and a door for said opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,122,454 Child July 5, 1938 2,166,397 Deverall July 18, 1939 2,238,808 Dube et al. Apr. 15, 1941 2,625,383 Baird Ian. 13, 1953 

1. AN EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER COMPRISING, A RECTANGULAR CASING HAVING VERTICALLY DIRECTED FRONT AND REAR WALLS, THE CASING TERMINATING AT THE BOTTOM THEREOF IN A SUMP PAN, CONDUITS HORIZONTALLY MOUNTED IN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE CASING FOR A FLUID TO BE CONDENSED, NOZZLES ABOVE SAID CONDUITS FOR DIRECTING SPRAYS OF WATER DOWNWARDLY OVER THE CONDUITS AND INTO THE SUMPPAN, A DOWNWARDLY INCLINED PARTITION IN THE CASING, SAID PARTITION HAVING ITS UPPER EDGE FASTENED TO THE FRONT WALL OF THE CASING AND EXTENDING REARWARDLY BELOW THE WATER LEVEL IN THE SUMP PAN TO FORM A WATER-TIGHT SEAL BETWEEN THE SPACES IN THE CASING BEHIND AND IN FRONT OF THE PARTITION, AND OVERFLOW PREVENTING DEVICES IN THE PAN IN FRONT OF THE PARTITION, THERE BEING AN OPENING IN THE FRONT WALL BELOW SAID PARTITION AFFORDING ACCESS TO SAID OVERFLOW PREVENTING DEVICES AT ALL TIMES. 